Murdoch names new Star TV boss

THE new chief executive of Rupert Murdoch's Asian broadcaster Star TV is Australian-trained lawyer Michelle Guthrie. She succeeds Murdoch's son James, the new chief executive of satellite broadcaster BSkyB.

Guthrie joined Star in 2000 and was in charge of business development.

Previous jobs in Murdoch's News Corporation since she joined in 1994 include director of legal and business affairs at Australian subscription TV group Foxtel and corporate counsel in London for News International and BSkyB.

Rupert Murdoch said: 'Michelle is one of the few people in Asia with over a decade of truly indepthpay television experience. I am confident she will take Star to the next level of growth and profitability.'

Under James Murdoch Star, which broadcasts to 53 countries in seven languages, moved into profit for the first time last year.

But his appointment at BSkyB sparked accusations of nepotism in London last week. News Corp owns 35.4% of BSkyB and he was the only candidate put forward.

That is likely to lead to a fiery annual meeting on Friday although the corporate governance lobbyists have toned down their original grievances.